Vehicle



March 16, 1937. v. Y. BROWN VEHICLE Original Filed Dec. 26, 1929' 5Sheets-Sheet 1 ATT 019N157 March 16, 1937. v. Y. BROWN VEHICLE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Deg. 26, 1929 INVENYOR rowll March 16,1937. v. Y. BROWN 20,292

' VEHICLE Original Filed Dec. 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INWNTOR 1- X BZ'OWIZ AT T ORNZY Reissued Mar. 16, 1937 PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE VictorYeats Brown,

Tonbridge, England, as-

:iignor to William Cornelison Anthony, Streator,

Original No. 1,844,003,

dated February 9, 1932,

Serial No. 416,655, December 26, 1929. Renewed December 24, 1931.

Application for reissue November 9, 1936, Serial No. 109,949. In GreatBritain January 10, 1929 10 Claims.

This invention relates to load or luggage-carrying attachments forvehicles more particularly motor vehicles and has for its object toprovide an improved construction of frame which may be used per se as aluggage or load carrier or as a trailer.

According to the present invention a wheeled load-carrying frame isprovided which is adapted to be attached to and detached from the rearof a vehicle. The aforesaid frame may comprise a main frame and anauxiliary frame telescopically and/or foldably associated with the mainframe, either the main frame or the auxiliary frame or both frames beingprovided with an adjustable and/or removable wheel or wheels.

The frame as a whole may be collapsible and foldable into a positionbehind the vehicle and at the rear end thereof for stowage purposes. Thewheel or wheels carried by the aforesaid frame may be angularlydisplaceable into a position beneath the frame and the wheel itself maybe displaceable into a position such that the plane of the wheel isapproximately parallel to the plane of the frame. The frame is formedpreferably of a light tubular construction and may be in one or morethan one part, any additional part or additional parts being preferablyof a telescopic foldable or extensible nature. A convenient form howeveris a frame formed in at least two parts interconnectible in such manneras to form a load carrier and/ or a trailer when extended and a grid orluggage or load carrier when collapsed.

In a convenient construction however the frame comprises a main frameadapted if so desired to carry one or more than one wheel and capable ofbeing connected to a vehicle preferably motor vehicle in such a mannerthat the main frame can be arranged to extend behind the said vehicle ina horizontal plane or in such manner that the frame can be swung up onpivotal supports into an approximately vertical position. The main framecarries an auxiliary frame formed with members telescopically orslidably attachable to the main frame which can be hingedly connected tothe tractor vehicle so that the hinged frame and/or the telescopic framemay be collapsed or folded together and thereafter the two frames mayboth be collapsed or folded. The auxiliary frame can be folded back ortelescoped out of the way when the hinged main frame is to be used as agrid or fixed carrier. The hinged main frame and/or the auxiliary framemay be provided with a swivelling wheel support the wheel centre thereofbeing offset from the centre line of the swivelling support to the rearso that the said wheel acts as a castor or trailing wheel and theswivelling wheel support may be mounted in trunnio-ns pivotallyconnected to the hinged main frame so that the wheel and the supporttherefor may be folded up under the hinged main frame preparatory tostowage.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect reference is made to the accompanying drawings whichshow diagrammatically and by way of example a frame construction inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rear part of a vehicle having aframe in accordance with the present invention removably and collapsiblyattached thereto,

Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a rear end elevation of Figure 1,

Figure 4 drawn to an enlarged scale is a detail view of a wheel catchhereinafter described,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of frame in accordancewith the present invention,

Figure 6 drawn toan enlarged scale shows the wheel support of Figure 5and means which permit of the wheel and its associated parts beingfolded up into the stowage position,

Figure 7 drawn to an enlarged scale is a plan view of Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings the rear of a vehicle isshown at A and the frame in accordance with the present invention may beformed in one or more than one part and may comprise a main framepreferably of longitudinally arrangedand lateral members I and anauxiliary frame 2 comprising longitudinal members united by one or morethan one cross memher. The members comprising both frames are preferablyof a tubular nature but the members of the main frame may be tubular andthe members of the auxiliary frame may be solid or vice versa. The mainframe I may be made of tubes, solid rods or flat or channel bars andthere may be one or more than one auxiliary frame which if so desiredmay be omitted. The tractor vehicle A is preferably provided with twobrackets 3, 4

which may be suitably secured for example to the,

dumb iron or other suitable part of the tractor vehicle A. The brackets3, 4 carry stub pivots, 5, 5' coupled by a cross tube 6' and thelongitudinal members of the main frame are provided with downwardlyextending and converging tubular members 6, I which are rockably mountedon the pivots, 5, 5 carried by the brackets 3, 4. Any

suitable type of pivotal connection may be made between the cross member6 and the brackets 3, 4. The two pairs of downwardly extending andconverging tubular members 6, 1 are inter-connected by cross stays 8, 9.Two sets H], II of laminated or plate springs are secured to the crossstays 8, 9 by U-shaped bolts 2, l3 and I4, I5. Between the securing nutson the bolt and each set of springs is interposed a plate l6, l1. Theopposite ends of the composite sets of springs are supported on abracket |8 carrying a pivot I9 the bracket l8 being supported on a plate28 secured to or rockably hung from the cross member 6 by a bracket 2|.On the upper surface of the bracket I8 is a block 22 in which is a hole23. 24 is a trailer wheel of which there may however be two, onedisposed at each side of the trailer frame, or one wheel may be disposedon either side of a central support or two wheels may be supportedbetween side supports such as 28. The wheel 24 is pivotally carried asat 25 by a forked member 26 supported in ball bearings by a tubularupright member 21 having a lug 28 or lugs through which passes a pin 38adapted to enter the hole 23 in the block 22 so that the upright 21 canbe clamped to the block 22 by manipulating the handle 3| or nut on thescrew threaded pin 30 or stud. This stud may be rockably mounted inbracket l8 and lug 28 may be provided with a slot and recess toaccommodate the base of nut 3| so that the stud may be swung clear whenthe nut is loosened without the need for completely removing the nutfrom the stud. The side members 32, 33 of the auxiliary frame can bepushed into the longitudinal side members of the main frame and causedto engage in holes 34, 35 in brackets 36, 31 secured to the side frames38, 39 of any desired tractor vehicle such as A. Such a constructionmaintains the main frame or the main frame and auxiliary frame inlongitudinal alignment with the tractor vehicle. Further, thelongitudinal tubes or rods 32, 33 of the auxiliary frame can be clampedin position by the clamping device comprising a split collar 48 havinglugs which can be drawn together by the clamping handle 4| so as to gripthe tube or rod 32.

From the foregoing description in conjunction with the drawings Figures1 to 3 it will be understood that the wheel centre is offset from thecentre line 42 Figure 1 of the swivelling support formed by the upright21 to the rear thereof so that the wheel 24 (or wheels) act as a castoror castors or trailing wheel or wheels. It should be clearly understoodhowever that twin wheels may be used when extra strength is required.The wheel 24 and its support 21 may be turned on the pivot l9 and foldedup under the main frame I as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1preparatory to stowage. Means are provided to retain the wheel in thisposition the said means comprising a rotatable hand operated collar 43carrying a hook shaped catch 44 which engages an eyeleted socket 45mounted on the fork of the wheel 4.

The whole frame is free to rise or fall as the case may be in accordancewith the road conditions by reason of its hinged attachment to thevehicle whilst at the same time the said frame is held rigid laterallyto the vehicle and the wheel or wheels are free to follow the requisitepath as the tractor vehicle turns by reason of the pivotal and offsetsupport. When the auxiliary frame 2 is not required it may be telescopedinto the frame I and the wheel 24 may be swung up on the pivot I9 intothe dotted position as shown in Figure 1 after releasing the retaininghandle 3|. In this position the frame I may be used as a grid or luggagecarrier for a light passenger or for luggage the frame I being rigidlymaintained in position behind the tractor vehicle by the supportingbrackets 3, 4 and the inter-engagement of the side tubes of the frame Iwith the holes 34, 35 in the brackets 36, 31 secured to the side frames38, 39 of the tractor vehicle.

If however it be not desired to use the grid or carrier the auxiliaryframe 2 may be telescoped into the main frame and the two frames may beswung up on the stub pivots 5, 5' into the position shown in dot anddash lines in. Figure 1. In this position it will be seen from thedrawings and readily understood from the description that the wheel 24can be turned into a position at right angles to the longitudinal axisof the tractor vehicle A as shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 1.Obviously however the trailer vehicle can be entirely removed from itssupporting brackets 3 and 4. When the wheel 24 is moved to either of theinoperative positions shown in dotted lines or in dot and dash lines inFigure 1 it occupies a plane generally parallel to the plane occupied bythe main frame I and where any reference to parallelism between theframe and the wheel occurs in the claims, it is to be taken as meaningthat the wheel, when in the inoperative position, lies generallyparallel to the plane which the frame as a whole occupies. Thus when theframe I is in operative position it lies generally horizontal, althoughit may vary above and below the horizontal, and when the wheel is in thedotted line position it also is generally horizontal and correspondinglysubstantially parallel to the frame I. When the frame is in the dot anddash position of Figure 1 it is generally vertical. So also is thewheel, as shown in that figure in dot and dash lines.

Suppose it be desired to remove the wheel 24 instead of turning it upinto the position shown in Figure 1 this may be effected by making thehorizontal pivot l9 passing through the bracket |8 removable.

In the modified constructional form shown in Figures 5, 6 and '7 thelongitudinal side members of the frame I are connected by a cross tube45 or stay carrying a bracket having rearwardly projecting lugs 41, 48provided with ball bearings 49, 50 in which a bearing tube 5| for thewheel forks is supported. The bearing tube 5| is provided with lateralprojections 52, 53 which co-act with the ball bearings 49 and 50 andwith a cross bar 54 of T shaped form. The upper end of the brackethaving the lugs 41 and 48 is formed with a flat lateral plate 55 towhich is secured a plate 56 by bolts 51, 58. The plate 56 is providedwith studs 59 and 68 and between-the T head 54 and the plate 58 areinterposed helical springs GI, 62. By removing the nuts on the bolts 51,58 the plate 56 the T head 54 and the springs 6| and 62 together withthe upright 5| and the wheel 24 can be swung up on the bearings 48 and58 into the position shown in Figure l, the wheel itself being turned soas to lie in a horizontal plane as shown. The ends of the springs 6 62may be closed in so as to form coils of smaller diameter so that theycan be gripped by the nuts on the studs 59, and 63, 64. The bolts 51, 58may be engaged with the lateral plate 55 on the bracket 46 by means of aslot connection the bolts 51, 58 in this case being provided withvertical pivots, 65, 66 passing through the plate 56 so as to avoidremoval of the nuts on the bolts 51, 5B.

The main frame and the auxiliary frame may be closed on top by anoverlay of metalor other suitable material. Both frames may however beopened and a cover or deck of .sheet metal, wire mesh orother suitablematerial may be provided so that it can be readily attached to and,removed from the upper surface of the main frame and/or the auxiliaryframe and on this cover or on any suitable support or seating attachedthereto a passenger or passengers or luggage or any desired load withinthe limits of the structural strength of the frame may be supported ortransported as and when desired. It is preferred that the means ofattachment of the hinged main frame I may be such that the said meansmay be easily and readily adapted to suit vehicles of difsupported withrespect to the vehicle,

ferent types and the general construction of the parts may be so devisedto conform or be easily made to conform to the varying requirements asto load and service.

What I claim is:

1. A load carrying frame adapted to be movably connected to the rear endof a vehicle including a main frame, means for supporting the main framefor swinging movement with respect to the vehicle, an auxiliary framemovably connected to the main frame, and a ground engaging wheel carriedby the main frame an elongated laminated spring being interposed betweenthe said wheel and the said frames.

2. A wheeled load carrying frame designed for attachment to the rear endof a vehicle including a main frame, means for mounting the main framefor swinging movement with respect to the vehicle, a ground wheelcarried by the main frame to support the frame remote from the vehicle,and means for mounting said wheel with respect to the main frame topermit the wheel to be displaceable into a position in parallelism withthe main frame when the latter is swung upwardly on its connection withthe vehicle.

3. A load carrying frame for vehicles including a main frame, means forswingingly supporting the main frame with respect to the vehicle, anauxiliary frame telescopically mounted on the main frame, and means onthe vehicle to receive the ends of the auxiliary frame in apredetermined position of the latter to hold the main frame againstswinging movement with respect to the vehicle.

4. A load carrying frame for vehicles including a main frame, means forswingingly supporting the main frame with respect to the vehicle, anauxiliary frame telescopically mounted on the main frame, means on thevehicle to receive the ends of the auxiliary frame in a predeterminedposition of the latter to hold the main frame against swinging movementwith respect to the vehicle, and a ground wheel for supporting the loadcarrying frame remote from the vehicle.

5. A load carrying frame for vehicles including a main frame, means forswingingly supporting the main frame with respect to the vehicle, anauxiliary frame telescopically mounted on the main frame, means on thevehicle to receive the ends of the auxiliary frame in a predeterminedposition of the latter to hold the main frame against swinging movementwith respect to the vehicle, a ground wheel for supporting the loadcarrying frame remote from the vehicle, and means for moving the wheelinto a plane parallel to that of the main frame at will.

6. A load carrying frame to be attached to the rear end of a vehicleincluding a main frame, means whereby the main frame is swingingly aground engaging wheel for the main frame, a swiveling wheel supportintermediate the wheel and main frame, and trunnions for said swivelingwheel support pivotally connected to the main frame whereby the wheeland swiveling support may be folded beneath the main frame.

'7. A load carrying frame adapted to be movably connected to the rear ofa vehicle and including longitudinally extending frame members and atransverse wheel supporting part extending transversely of said framemembers, means for supporting said frame for swinging movement withrespect to said vehicle about a generally horizontal axis perpendicularto the length of the vehicle, a ground engaging wheel mounted upon saidtransverse member and adapted to support said frame, a generallyvertical swivel connection between said frame and wheel, adapted topermit said wheel to swivel about a generally vertical axis, andyielding means comprising elongated laminated springs flxed at one endto said frame and attached at the other to said swivel connection andbeing effective upon said wheel to permit it to rise and fall withrespect to said frame in response to road shocks and variations in theload carried by said frame.

8. A load carrying frame adapted to be movably connected to the rear ofa vehicle and including longitudinally extending frame members and atransverse wheel supporting part extending transversely of said framemembers, means for supporting said frame for swinging movement withrespect to said vehicle about a generally horizontal axis perpendicularto the length of the vehicle, aground engaging wheel mounted upon saidtransverse member and adapted to support said frame, a generallyvertical swivel connection between said frame and wheel, adapted topermit said wheel to swivel about a generally vertical axis, andyielding means interposed between said wheel swivel connection and saidframe, said yielding means comprising a spring joined at one end to saidframe and at the other to said swivel connection and effective upon saidwheel to permit it to rise and fall with respect to said frame inresponse to road shocks and variations in the load carried by saidframe.

9. A load carrying frame adapted to be movably connected to the rear ofa vehicle and including longitudinally extending frame members and atransverse wheel supporting part situated intermediate the ends of saidframe members and in the same generally horizontal plane and extendingtransversely of them, means for supporting said frame for swingingmovement with respect to said vehicle about a generally horizontal axisperpendicular to the length of the vehicle, a ground engaging wheelmounted upon said transverse member and adapted to support said frame, agenerally vertical swivel connection between said frame and wheel,adapted to permit said wheel to swivel about a generally vertical axis,and yielding means interposed between said wheel swivel connection andsaid frame and effective upon said wheel to permit it to rise and fallwith respect to said frame in response to road shocks and variations inthe load carried by said frame.

10. A load carrying frame adapted to be movably connected to the rear ofa vehicle and inwith respect to said vehicle about a horizontal axis prpendicular to the length of the vehicle, a ground engaging wheelmounted upon said transverse member and adapted to support said frame, aswivel connection for said wheel adapted to permit swiveling movement ofthe wheei and yielding means interposed between the swivel connectionand the frame eflective to permit the wheel to rise and fall withrespect to said frame in response to road shocks and variaions in theload carried by said frame.

VIC'I'OR YEATS BROWN.

